Today’s unemployment report is more discouraging news about the state of our economy. America has lost jobs every month of 2008; September’s loss of 159,000 jobs brings the yearly total to more than three-quarters of a million.

Few days in the 27 years I've served in Congress were as remarkable as Monday. It's not every day that Republicans second Barney Frank. It's not every day that Democrats stand and cheer for Minority Leader John Boehner.

As I said on the House floor, today was a very consequential day. We are facing a severe economic downturn, and it was crucial for Democrats and Republicans to come together to support the financial rescue plan put forward by President Bush and Secretary Paulson.

As you know, about a week and a half ago, the Administration visited Capitol Hill and described the crisis in our financial markets and in our economy. A couple of days later, they presented us with their legislation, and since then we have worked in a bipartisan way to improve that legislation...

The financial crisis we are facing would have repercussions far beyond Wall Street—it could endanger the economic security of millions. Crisis or not, we are facing an economic downturn that is very real, one that speaks poorly of the President’s economic stewardship.

It was imperative that the President explain to Americans, who are rightly frustrated, angry and resistant to offering up their tax dollars, why it is in their best interest to quickly, decisively and boldly respond to the financial crisis on Wall Street.